Gopher Models N Scale 38 – Sound Decoder

Description

Sound Decoder for the Gopher Models N Scale 38 class steam locomotives, loaded with the same project as the factory sound fitted models.

All DC models come fitted with a speaker and a small stay alive, this sound decoder is all that is required to convert the model from DC analogue, to DCC sound. Please note that we have now found that most Gopher 38’s will need a very small modification in order for the sound functionality to work correctly when retrofitting this sound decoder to a factory supplied DC model. Please scroll to the bottom of this page for further instructions.

For more info on the ZIMO MS591N18 Next18 sound decoder, please visit the product page: https://bmodeltrains.com/product/zimo-ms591n18/

For information on the sound project, please see the documentation below.

 

 

 

Installation Instructions

Please refer to the following instructions to fit this sound decoder to your Gopher 38 locomotive.

1. Remove the tender shell by spreading the sides of the tender – (for further tips and instructions on this, please download a copy of this document –  Gopher 38 class instructions)
2. Unplug the DC board which is plugged into the Next18 socket, it simply lifts off, no force required
3. Identify the two speaker pads at the rear of the printed circuit board in the tender,  they are labelled LS/A and LS/B, they are a silver colour, fairly large and rounded. They can be seen in the above linked instruction manual
4. Add a reasonable amount of solder to both of these speaker contact pads – best to hold a strand of solder directly onto the pad and then introduce the soldering iron to allow it to flow and flood onto the pad
5. You may need to gently file the lumps of solder to provide a flat surface on top
6. Reinstall the tender shell, taking care of the ladder at the rear of the tender, and the large rounded black footplate piece which pokes out the back of the locomotive cab, just ensure neither of these things get caught when clipping the shell back on
7. Place your locomotive on a powered piece of DCC track. If you immediately start to hear some sound, all is well! Ensure all the sounds work correctly as per the supplied paperwork. If you don’t hear any sound, first try pushing down on the rear of the tender, this can help to re-engage the sprung speaker contacts. Please re-inspect your lumps of solder on the solder pads, you may need to add more solder, or you may need to file the lumps of solder flat. The latter I have typically found to be the most common issue and requirement

Please note that some locomotives will not need the solder to be added at all in order to produce good electrical contact between the speaker and tender circuit board. You may try installing the sound decoder and skipping these steps if soldering is a skill you’re not comfortable with and you’d prefer to avoid.

The image above shows the location of the LS/A and LS/B pads, and shows the end result of solder added and filed flat.

For more information on this sound decoder, please visit the Zimo website: http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/ms-sound-decoder_EN.htm